[en] This paper describes first experiments in which the strong electron rings normally trapped in the RECE-Christa device are accelerated in a plasma-betatron-like arrangement. Using a cold, collisional background plasma (T /SUB e/ = 1-2 eV, n /SUB p/ = 10¹¹ -10¹² cm^-3) generated by the ring in a gas fill of 50200mTorr H₂, electron rings with currents of up to 2 kA were accelerated from about 1 MeV to 2.5-3 MeV. It appears that this method may be useful in significantly extending the parameter range of betatrons, in particular its ring current into the 10 kA range